in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, wandered under pressure, kept on final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, behind, headway on outer over 3f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden 3f out, chased winner final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway on inner, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace
Ezdiyaad is nominated to land this handicap after an impressive victory at Newbury last month, although it was on ground much different to which he will encounter today. Marcus Tregoning's colt races here off a 9lb higher mark but with improvement likely, he should be able to overcome that hike. Keen in the early stages, he ran on strongly against many opponents who failed to handle the testing conditions that were on offer. He can land this and give Martin Dwyer his first winner back after a layoff. Sgt Schultz could well emerge as the biggest threat to the selection. The Lingfield specialist was not disgraced on his seasonal debut earlier this month where he had one of today's rivals Lepido in behind. Bid For Glory has been given some respite by the assessor after been dropped 5lb to a mark of 92 after his last outing at Newmarket. The drop back to 10 furlongs should suit him also. Market support for Suit Me should be noted but he could not be recommended with any great confidence on recent form. Encircled should be closely watched with races well within his compass over the coming months but Ezdiyaad gets the vote.
Bid For Glory 8-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 10l behind Ajaan (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Ezdiyaad (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, but stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr beating Eglevski (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Lepido (ITY) 33-1 (8-13) Pulled very hard in mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon behind, last of 15, 26l behind Luberon (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 8th of 15, 11l behind Luberon (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Nanton (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no progress and outpaced final 2f, 6th of 9, 6l behind Russki (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Xpres Maite 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Obezyana (8-5) at Haydock 1m hcap (4) gf.
Encircled 20-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but not pace to trouble leaders, 7th of 13, 7l behind Kavachi (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Suits Me 7-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 15l behind Ballinteni (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
